03-24-2023, 02:20 PM
Started CPAP need help!
Hello, I’m writing because like many other’s I’m having a terrible time adjusting to my cpap. It’s been six weeks since I started and it’s taken two days to find a moment of energy to write this. I hope this post is not to long and rambling but I to tired to write coherently.
I’m 51, 6’2, 176lbs male. I’m in good shape. I run, hike and until recently generally have a lot of energy.
About two years ago I started snoring which kept my wife awake. I also started noticing that I was not feeling as rested after 7-8hrs of sleep as I use to feel and was wanting to sleep late more often. I mentioned this to doctor and she sent me in for a sleep test.
The result of the test was moderate sleep apnea 18 AHI and a cpap was recommended. I was surprised but after reading how bad sleep apnea can be for ones health I was grateful that there is solution.
I was handed a Resmed 11 and a P30i nasal mask with very little direction about what to expect or even on how to use it and sent home. I was not even told that I needed to keep my mouth shut. I discovered that myself online some days later. I’ve quickly realized that I am going to have to manage this myself as my sleep clinic has not been very helpful.
Needless to say I’ve been having a hard time sleeping with the mask. I’ve had rainouts, leaks, sore nose, etc. Slowly I’m learning to to mitigate these things thanks to all CPAP boards and reddit.
I have used my cpap almost every night over that last six weeks from 4-7 hours. I’ve taken a a few nights off. I do feel a bit more rested when I take a break, even half a night off. My AHI fluctuates from 5-11. Leaks are all over the place. One night the medium cushions work and the next night I can’t get a seal and have to us the large ones. I have the mask on loose that helps but I get a lot of leaks. I just got some mouth tape hopefully that will help. The leaks is really what keeps me up. My cpap was set 5-9 and recently changed to 7-12 by my Dr.
I plan on getting Oscar in the coming days and using it and also plan on trying some different masks. I’m determined to master this thing.
The main thing I’m concerned about today in the crushing fatigue I’m experiencing since starting CPAP.
Prior to CPAP I had some trouble waking up and would usually crash at around 10am experiencing fatigue and difficulty focusing. I would not usually need to nap but it I did it would help. I also found myself wanting to go bed at around 8pm. A few years ago my wife had a hard time getting to get to bed by 11pm.
Since starting cpap I have to nap 1-2 times a day. At first naps helped but now I only nap around 15-20mins but still feel exhausted and lay in bed to tired to move. More exhausted than sleepy.
In short, the exhaustion/sleepiness has gotten worst and worst. I actually have many of the symptoms that I read that people who suffer from severe sleep apnea have. Wanting to fall asleep driving, cognitive issues, feeling weak, headaches malaise etc. I have a 5 year old and I’m struggling managing her care. The other day I had a friend drive her to school for I felt unsafe driving.
Yesterday I was starting to think that maybe there is something else wrong with me. Fortunately I had a full physical a month ago with blood work and at that point everything was normal.
The main thing I’m concerned about today, right now, is the crushing fatigue I’m experiencing since starting CPAP. Is this sort of fatigue normal for someone who are just starting out with CPAP? Is it normal to feel SO much worst even six weeks into cpap treatment. My sleep doctor told me it often gets worst before it gets better. I don’t think it can get much worst and I’m thinking of taking 3-4 days off Cpap to catch up even it have sleep apneas.
Any input would be appreciated!
I’m 51, 6’2, 176lbs male. I’m in good shape. I run, hike and until recently generally have a lot of energy.
About two years ago I started snoring which kept my wife awake. I also started noticing that I was not feeling as rested after 7-8hrs of sleep as I use to feel and was wanting to sleep late more often. I mentioned this to doctor and she sent me in for a sleep test.
The result of the test was moderate sleep apnea 18 AHI and a cpap was recommended. I was surprised but after reading how bad sleep apnea can be for ones health I was grateful that there is solution.
I was handed a Resmed 11 and a P30i nasal mask with very little direction about what to expect or even on how to use it and sent home. I was not even told that I needed to keep my mouth shut. I discovered that myself online some days later. I’ve quickly realized that I am going to have to manage this myself as my sleep clinic has not been very helpful.
Needless to say I’ve been having a hard time sleeping with the mask. I’ve had rainouts, leaks, sore nose, etc. Slowly I’m learning to to mitigate these things thanks to all CPAP boards and reddit.
I have used my cpap almost every night over that last six weeks from 4-7 hours. I’ve taken a a few nights off. I do feel a bit more rested when I take a break, even half a night off. My AHI fluctuates from 5-11. Leaks are all over the place. One night the medium cushions work and the next night I can’t get a seal and have to us the large ones. I have the mask on loose that helps but I get a lot of leaks. I just got some mouth tape hopefully that will help. The leaks is really what keeps me up. My cpap was set 5-9 and recently changed to 7-12 by my Dr.
I plan on getting Oscar in the coming days and using it and also plan on trying some different masks. I’m determined to master this thing.
The main thing I’m concerned about today in the crushing fatigue I’m experiencing since starting CPAP.
Prior to CPAP I had some trouble waking up and would usually crash at around 10am experiencing fatigue and difficulty focusing. I would not usually need to nap but it I did it would help. I also found myself wanting to go bed at around 8pm. A few years ago my wife had a hard time getting to get to bed by 11pm.
Since starting cpap I have to nap 1-2 times a day. At first naps helped but now I only nap around 15-20mins but still feel exhausted and lay in bed to tired to move. More exhausted than sleepy.
In short, the exhaustion/sleepiness has gotten worst and worst. I actually have many of the symptoms that I read that people who suffer from severe sleep apnea have. Wanting to fall asleep driving, cognitive issues, feeling weak, headaches malaise etc. I have a 5 year old and I’m struggling managing her care. The other day I had a friend drive her to school for I felt unsafe driving.
Yesterday I was starting to think that maybe there is something else wrong with me. Fortunately I had a full physical a month ago with blood work and at that point everything was normal.
The main thing I’m concerned about today, right now, is the crushing fatigue I’m experiencing since starting CPAP. Is this sort of fatigue normal for someone who are just starting out with CPAP? Is it normal to feel SO much worst even six weeks into cpap treatment. My sleep doctor told me it often gets worst before it gets better. I don’t think it can get much worst and I’m thinking of taking 3-4 days off Cpap to catch up even it have sleep apneas.
Any input would be appreciated!
